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Sherborne Travel Writing Festival Authors 2026

Festival Curator, Rory MacLean, welcomes this year's line up of authors.
Adam Weymouth – Lone Wolf

Lone Wolf

Adam Weymouth

Friday 10 April

5pm-6pm


Lone Wolf is multifaceted account of Europe's hinterlands at a moment of political and environmental change. 

Ash Bhardwaj - Why Do We Travel?

Why Do We Travel?

Ash Bhardwaj

Saturday 11 April

12pm-1pm


Ash reveals the 12 key motivations for travel and how they can lead to more satisfying and sustainable travel experiences.

Margaret Busby - Part of the Story

Part of the Story

Margaret Busby

Saturday 11 April

5pm-6pm


In conversation with Rosie Goldsmith, Margaret will discuss her work which brings together writings on people, places, politics and publishing.

Jen Stout - Night Train to Odesa

Night Train to Odesa

Jen Stout

Sunday 12 April

1pm-2pm


Jen will be in conversation with Louise Troup about documenting the war in Ukraine and making her own way across a war-torn country.

Tony Wheeler - Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet

Tony Wheeler

Friday 10 April

7pm-8pm


Rory MacLean will be in conversation with ‘the trailblazing patron saint of the world’s backpackers and adventure travellers’ Tony Wheeler.

Sophie Ibbotson - Oxus

Oxus

Sophie Ibbotson

Saturday 11 April

2pm-3pm


Sophie identifies the true source of the River Oxus, the location of which has perplexed geographers, diplomats, and spies for over 200 years.

Sara Wheeler - Jan Morris: A Life

Jan Morris: A Life

Sara Wheeler

Saturday 11 April

7pm-8pm


In conversation with Colin Thubron, Sara discusses her book on Jan Morris – a portrait of an astonishing individual.

Around the World in 80 Trees

Around the World in 80 Trees

Jonathan Drori

Sunday 12 April 

2.30pm-3.30pm


Jonathan Drori CBE will celebrate the delightful, poignant and occasionally daft relationships that people have with plants. 

Mark Ashley-Miller - Harbours And Their Masters

Harbours and Their Masters

Mark Ashley-Miller

Saturday 11 April

10.30am-11.30am


Mark spent five years sailing into every harbour and interviewing some 256 Harbour Masters.

Dan Richards - Overnight

Overnight

Dan Richards

Saturday 11 April 

3.30pm-4.30pm


Dan Richards will change forever the way you think about the hours after dark.

Sherborne Prize for Travel Writing

Sherborne Prize for Travel Writing

With the 2026 Judging Panel

Sunday 12 April

10.30am-12pm


The winner of the 2026 £10,000 Sherborne Prize for Travel Writing will be announced.


Horatio Clare - We Came By Sea

We Came By Sea

Horatio Clare

Sunday 12 April

4pm-5pm


Acclaimed author and journalist Horatio Clare, in conversation with Rosie Goldsmith, telling the story of vulnerable and desperate 'migrants' who arrive in 'small boats' and the volunteers who come to their aid.

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